Originally a graduate from the Thirds, Hutchins spent 1949 in the Seconds before making his senior debut a year later. After just one game late in 1950 he added four more the next year before his VFL playing career ended.

He was usually a full-back, but he was originally tested as a rover in his first senior match. By 1951 he was playing in the back pocket and wasn't tried at rover again despite the team needing a replacement for Alby Rodda.

Shown as "To be considered when available" in 1952 due to a knee operation at the end of 1951 due to an injury suffered in his last senior game. He missed the whole season and impressed for the Seconds early in 1953 but didn't play another match. He battled back to the senior list but his knee troubled him again and he didn't make it any further than being named emergency for one game.